Jetstar Japan suspends flights on six domestic routes from end of October 2020

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

In order to alleviate the impact of the pandemic, Jetstar Japan will suspend operations of six Japanese domestic routes.

NHK quoted several officials from Jetstar Japan on 8 October 2020 that due to the impact of the pandemic, the six domestic routes operated by the low-cost airline operator are no longer profitable at this stage. The flights will be suspended from end of October 2020 to March 2021. Affected routes were suspended this month, include Kansai - Fukuoka and Kumamoto - Kochi. However it is not clear whether these routes will be resumed after March next year.

At the same time, Jetstar Japan will close the pilot and flight attendant offices at Kansai International Airport and encourage about 600 pilots and flight attendants to voluntarily retire or take long-term unpaid leave.

The airline will continue to fly 16 other domestic routes, including routes between Narita, Kansai and Fukuoka Airports.